Boy Holding a Book c. 1747 - 1750

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo painted this "Boy Holding a Book," using oil on canvas, but I'm equally drawn to the pigments and supports. Look closely, and you'll see how the layered application of paint creates luminosity, but also texture and depth, particularly in the boy's clothing and the book he holds. The making of paint itself was a labor-intensive process back then, with pigments derived from minerals and plants, and ground by hand. Think about the social context here. The book is a key element, showing us that the boy is privileged enough to be literate. Also, the type of brushes, and the quality of canvas, and the labor to produce the oil paints all point towards money. Tiepolo's mastery isn't just in his artistic skill but also in his understanding and use of materials to create both a visual and social narrative. It reminds us that the value of art lies not just in its aesthetic appeal, but in the story of its making.